The effect of energy discoveries in the East Mediterranean on international relations of riparian countries

The importance of a historically and geopolitically important geography such as the Eastern Mediterranean has increased with the energy discoveries made. Today, the region witnesses the struggle of riparian countries to dominate the energy resources. In addition to the disputes regarding the determination of maritime jurisdictions, the restriction agreements made without the consent of other riparian countries and the disputes that arise regarding the determination of the possible routes to be used in the transfer of discovered hydrocarbon energy resources, further deepen these disagreements and struggles. In such an environment, energy comes to the forefront with its unifying role among some countries, while it comes to the forefront with conflicts or disagreements among others. In this environment, which causes conflicts between riparian countries, there are consumer countries such as the TRNC and both consumer and transit countries such as Turkey. On the other hand, there are producer countries such as Egypt, Israel and Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, as well as a consumer and transit country such as Greece. The aim of this study is to explain the developments in the region after the energy discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean, through the relationship between energy security and neo-realism.